All-Star Chef Lineup for 2016 World Culinary Showcase Announced

Celebrity chefs share their culinary expertise and techniques on the entertainment-filled World Culinary Showcase stage at NRA Show 2016 in Chicago

The National Restaurant Association today announced a lineup of the nation’s top celebrity chefs to share their culinary know-how on the World Culinary Showcase stage at the National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show®, taking place at Chicago’s McCormick Place from May 21-24. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn the latest cooking practices and trends from acclaimed chefs such as: MasterChef andMasterChef Jr. judge Graham Elliot, Food Network Star Champion Aarti Sequeira, as well as returning favorites like Rick Bayless, Pat Neely, Robert Irvine and more.

“This year’s celebrated lineup of chefs demonstrate—in real time—cutting edge disciplines, techniques, and flavors on the 2016 World Culinary Showcase stage,” Lisa Ingram, Convention Chair for NRA Show 2016 and CEO and President of White Castle System, Inc. says. “Their tips, insight, and inspiration are brought to life on this entertaining stage, making the World Culinary Showcase a crowd-favorite and a must-see feature of NRA Show.”

Rohini Dey – Leading restaurateur, proponent of Indian cuisine with her unique Latin twist across Vermillion Chicago and New York City, and an avid supporter of women.

Rocco DiSpirito – James Beard Award winning chef, health advocate, and author of eleven highly-acclaimed cookbooks, known for his mission to prove that healthy and delicious are not mutually exclusive.

Graham Elliot – Awarded two Michelin stars for Graham Elliot, co-host and judge onMasterChef and MasterChef Jr., and the culinary director of Lollapalooza.

Terry French – Winner of Food Network’s World Extreme Chef, this “Rebel Chef” is not one to follow convention putting passion and fun into his extreme cuisine.

Jose Garces – Renowned Latin-American chef, and owner of Garces, a Philadelphia-based hospitality group that operates more than 15 restaurants across the country, including Amada, Rural Society, and Mercat a la Planxa.

Lorena Garcia – Venezuelan-born restaurateur, chef, and author known for her TV appearances, successful chain of restaurants, and cookbooks.

G. Garvin – James Beard Award nominated chef, author of Turn Up the Heat and Make It Super Simple, television host of Road Trip with G. Garvin, and founder of The One Bite Foundation.

Vivian Howard – James Beard nominated chef, owner of Chef & the Farmer and The Boiler Room in Kinston, N.C., star of “A Chef’s Life,” and is known for seasonal, locally sourced dishes inspired by the rich culinary traditions of eastern North Carolina.

Robert Irvine – Host of The Food Network’s Restaurant: Impossible and Restaurant Express, seen on Dinner: Impossible, Worst Cooks in America, and The Next Iron Chef, and author of two cookbooks Mission: Cook! and Impossible to Easy.

Pat Neely – Owner of Neely’s Barbecue Parlor, author of cookbooks such as Back Home with the Neelys and Down Home with the Neelys, and host of Down Home with the Neelys.

Aarti Sequeira – Host of Food Network’s Aarti Party and author of Aarti Party: An American Kitchen with an Indian Soul.

Richard Sandoval – Over 18 years of experience in the industry, and the international restaurant group, Richard Sandoval Restaurants, was named one of the “25 Coolest Multi-Concept Companies” by Restaurant Hospitality.

Ming Tsai – James Beard Award winner, chef/owner of Blue Ginger in Wellesley, Mass. and Blue Dragon in Boston, Mass., host of Simply Ming, and has authored five cookbooks.

The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show® is the largest annual gathering of restaurant, foodservice, and lodging professionals in the world. NRA Show®2016 will be held May 21-24 at McCormick Place in Chicago, and the 2016 BAR at NRA Show Event, held in conjunction with NRA Show, will take place May 22-23. The events attract 66,000+ attendees and visitors from all 50 states and 100+ countries, and showcase the latest products, services, innovative ideas, up-to-the-minute information about trends and issues, and growth opportunities. For more information, visit the NRA Show and BAR websites at Restaurant.org/Show and Restaurant.org/BAR and find the NRA Show on Twitter @NRAShow, Facebook, Instagram @NRAShow, YouTube, Flickr, Pinterest and our year-round content hub Brainfeed.

Founded in 1919, the National Restaurant Association is the leading business association for the restaurant industry, which comprises more than 1 million restaurant and foodservice outlets and a workforce of 14.4 million employees. We represent the industry in Washington, D.C., and advocate on its behalf. We operate the industry’s largest trade show (NRA Show May 21-24, 2016, in Chicago); leading food safety training and certification program (ServSafe); unique career-building high school program (the NRAEF’s ProStart); as well as the Kids LiveWell program promoting healthful kids’ menu options. For more information, visit Restaurant.org and find us on Twitter@WeRRestaurants, Facebook and YouTube.